Pouring vessel

ABSTRACT

In this invention there is provided a pouring vessel of the squeezable, delaminated bottle type, which can be squeezed smoothly to the last moment of discharge operation so that little content remains in the vessel. The vessel or container of a delaminated bottle type comprises the outer shell layer that forms a squeezable outer container and the inner layer that forms an inner container for receiving its content inside and capable of being deflated and deformed inward with the decrease in inner pressure; and the container is also provided with a discharge cap. In this configuration, a pair of vertically extending adhesive resin strips is formed by adhering the outer shell layer and the inner layer over the roughly entire height of the container. The relationship of the peripheral length between the two adhesive resin strips to the width of each strip is determined to give such a range that the inner container can be almost completely deflated and deformed. In the case of the container having the body of an elliptical shape, the adhesive resin strips are disposed at both ends of the long axis of the body, axisymmetrically on the central axis, with each strip being divided by the long axis into right and left parts having different lengths in the width direction.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a pouring vessel made of syntheticresins, which has been obtained by laminating an inner container capableof being deflated and a squeezable outer container in a peelable manner,so as to enable the content to be discharged and used repeatedly withoutsucking up outside air into the inner container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Utility models laid open No. 1982-44063 and No. 1995-22951describe prior-art pouring vessels of the squeezable type, whichcomprise an inner container and an outer container in which to put theinner container.

[0003] The prior art described in utility model laid open No. 1982-44063refers to a pouring vessel comprising an inner container and an outersqueezable container having an air hole at the bottom. Mayonnaise isdischarged from the inner container by squeezing the outer container.Then, outside air is introduced into the void between the outercontainer and the inner container. At that time, the inner containermaintains its deformed shape, while the outer container returns to theoriginal shape because of its restoring force.

[0004] The prior art described in utility model laid open No. 1995-22951refers to another pouring vessel comprising an inner container and anouter squeezable container combined and fitted to each other. The innercontainer is provided with the first check valve that permits thecontent to pass through the valve and come out of the inner containerbut does not permit outside air to enter the inner container. The outercontainer is provided with the second check valve that permits outsideair to enter the void between both containers, but does not permit airto escape from the void.

[0005] The method of utilizing a pair of adhesive resin strips is alsogenerally in use. These adhesive resin strips adhere and fix the outercontainer and the inner container to each other over the entire heightof the containers and keep the deflationary deformation of the innercontainer at a certain shape that gives no shrinkage in the heightdirection, thereby ensuring the flow path for the content and making thedischarging operation smooth.

[0006] In order for the adhesive resin strips such as described above tofulfill their function, a simple and effective method is to dispose thepair of adhesive resin strips at axisymmetric positions on the centralaxis of the body. But there arises a problem here concerning theirwidth. If the width is too wide, the inner container cannot be deflatedfully. If the width is too narrow, the content flow path is blockedbecause of deflationary deformation that takes place in an early periodof discharge. As a result, no smooth discharging operation is obtained,and thus, a significant amount of content is left unused in the innercontainer.

[0007] This invention has been made to solve such a problem found inprior art. The object of this invention is thus to provide a pouringvessel of the squeezable type that has a high discharging ability and iscapable of minimizing the remaining volume of the content.

[0008] From a design point of view, the bodies of many containers now inuse have an elliptical cross-section rather than the circular one. Animportant point in this case is where the adhesive resin strips arepositioned. If a pair of adhesive resin strips is disposed at both endsof assumed long axis, axisymmetrically on the central axis of the body,then deflationary deformation proceeds almost symmetrically in theunadhering portions of the inner container divided into two portions bythe adhesive resin strips. Stable discharge operation can be securedunder this arrangement.

[0009] However, even though the adhesive resin strips are disposed atthe above-described positions in the cross-section of the body having anelliptical shape rather than a circular one, there arises a problemconcerning their width. If the adhesive resin strips have too wide awidth to ensure a flow path for the content, any deformable portiondisappears under the condition that the inner container has deformed toa considerable extent due to the decrease in the volume of the content.Eventually, both ends of each adhesive resin strip resist the pressurecaused by the squeeze. In this state, further discharge becomesdifficult in spite of a significant volume of the content remaining inthe inner container.

[0010] This invention also has been made to solve such a problem foundin prior art. Another object of this invention is thus to provide apouring vessel of the squeezable type having an elliptical shape, whichcan be smoothly squeezed to the last moment of the discharging operationand is capable of minimizing the remaining volume of the content.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Among the means of solving the above-described technical problem,the means of carrying out the invention of claim 1 has the followingconfiguration. The pouring vessel comprises:

[0012] a blow-molded, bottle-like container consisting of an outer shelllayer and an inner layer, which are peelably laminated together, andhaving a body of a cross-sectional shape in which an assumed symmetricallong axis and a symmetrical short axis are orthogonal with each other,said outer shell layer forming an outer container, which has theflexibility to make this container squeezable and recoverable to itsoriginal shape, and said inner layer forming an inner container forreceiving its content inside and capable of being deflated and deformedinward with the decrease in inner pressure; and

[0013] a discharge cap having an opening and attached to neck of thecontainer.

[0014] In this configuration, a pair of adhesive resin strips is formedat both ends of the long axis of the body, axisymmetrically on thecentral axis, by adhering the outer shell layer and the inner layer overthe roughly entire height of the container, and the width (La) of thisadhesive resin strips is set in the range of 0.8(¼)(L−2D1) to1.2(¼)(L−2D1), preferably at (¼)(L−2D1), wherein D1 is the length of thelong axis in the cross-section of the body (2); and L is the peripherallength in the cross-section of the body.

[0015] The discharge cap is provided with the first check valvemechanism that prevents the back flow of the content from the opening tothe inner container and also prevents the inflow of outside air. Theouter container is equipped with an outside air introduction mechanismfor introducing outside air into the interlaminar void between the outershell layer and the inner layer, with the outside air introductionmechanism being connected to the second check valve mechanism, which hasa function to confine air within the void at the time of squeeze.

[0016] In the invention of claim 1, the pouring vessel is squeezed todischarge the content. When the squeeze is stopped and the pressure isreleased, the outer container begins restoring its original shapebecause of its resilient, restoring force. At the same time, the firstcheck valve mechanism provided in the discharge cap is in action to stopthe discharge of the content and to prevent the back flow of the contentand the inflow of outside air into the inner container. Since the innercontainer remains deformed with the decrease in the volume of content,outside air is introduced into the void between the outer shell layerand the inner layer through the air introduction mechanism, and theouter container is restored to its original shape.

[0017] If the pouring vessel is squeezed again in the state in which theouter container has been restored to its original shape, air in the voidis pressurized by the squeeze because the second check valve mechanismseals the void. Thus, a pressure is applied on the inner container todischarge the content further.

[0018] Since the first check valve mechanism prevents the inflow ofoutside air into the inner container, there is no airspace in the innercontainer. The content is thus always located in front of the opening.No matter what position the pouring vessel takes when it is used, thecontent can be discharged easily. It is also possible to prevent thecontent from being decomposed or deteriorated caused by air oxidation.

[0019] With the formation of vertical adhesive resin strips, a pair ofunadhering portions of the inner layer (hereinafter referred to asunadhering inner layers) is also formed. As the pouring vessel issqueezed and the content is discharged, these unadhering inner layersare deformed. This deformation proceeds in the following manner. Whenthe deformation is observed on the cross-section of the body in thedrawing having the vertical long axis, the right and left unadheringinner layers deform first at their central portion in the flatteningdirection. As the deformation further proceeds, the right and leftunadhering inner layers come in contact with each other roughly on thelong axis. This portion of contact extends toward the adhesive resinstrips disposed at both ends of the long axis. Ideally, the innercontainer is deflated axisymmetrically on both of the long and shortaxes.

[0020] As the content is further discharged, the inner containercontinues its deflationary deformation until there remains littlecontent in the inner container. At that time, the portion of contactextends over the entire long axis, and the inner container is almostcompletely in a flat state on the cross-section. If under thiscondition, the length of the unadhering inner layers is set at a sum ofthe length of the long axis and the width of each adhesive resin stripon the cross-section of the body, or more specifically, if the width ofeach adhesive resin strip is set at a length equal to (¼)(L−2D1), thenthe inner container becomes almost completely flat as soon as dischargeof the content is completed.

[0021] However, depending on the condition of use, the unadhering innerlayers are not deflated axisymmetrically on both the long and shortaxes, but something asymmetric or partially loose may occur, anddeflationary deformation cannot lead the inner container to becomecompletely flat. In such a case, it is preferred to set the width of theadhesive resin strips at a value slightly less than (¼)(L−2D1).

[0022] If the content has high viscosity, it may be preferred in somecases to set the width of the adhesive resin strips at a value slightlywider than (¼)(L−2D1) so as to secure a larger flow path than usual andto maintain a smooth content-discharging operation.

[0023] Various tests were conducted under the above-described conditionsand for the purposes of use. It has been found that a width in the rangeof 0.8(¼)(L−2D1) to 1.2(¼)(L−2D1) gives good results that only quite asmall amount of the content remains in the inner container after the useand that the discharging operation can be smooth to the last moment ofsqueeze.

[0024] If the width of the adhesive resin strips is set at a value widerthan 1.2(¼)(L−2D1), the deformable portion practically disappears in thestate in which a fair amount of the content has remained still in theinner container, because of a dimensional limitation on thecross-sectional length of the unadhering inner layers. In this case, theunadhering inner layers on both sides of the adhesive resin strips areso stretched at four ends of the adhesive resin strips in the widthdirection (hereinafter referred to as strip ends) that it is difficultto deflate and deform these layers any more. In this state, no matterhow the outer container is squeezed, it is hard to discharge thecontent.

[0025] If the width of the adhesive resin strips is set at a valuenarrower than 0.8(¼)(L−2D1), the unadhering inner layers have a largercross-sectional length than necessary. Even if a considerable amount ofcontent still remains in the entire inner container, there is a fearthat the cross-sectional shape of the inner container almost blocks theflow path at a place where the content tends to get smaller, dependingon the conditions of discharge from, or of storage in, the vessel. Inthis state, smooth discharge of the content is no longer possible.

[0026] The means of carrying out the invention of claim 2 exists in theconfiguration that, in the invention of claim 1, the body has a circularcross-section in which the length of the long axis is made equal to thatof the short axis.

[0027] Due to the configuration of claim 2, the residual amount of thecontent can be reduced in the vessel having the body of a circularcross-section, while steadily maintaining favorable dischargingoperation. It is also possible to discharge more content in a singlesqueeze from the vessel with a circular cross-section than from thevessel with an elliptical cross-section, because each stroke of squeezedeformation can be enlarged for discharging the content.

[0028] The means of carrying out the invention of claim 3 has thefollowing configuration. The pouring vessel comprises:

[0029] a blow-molded, bottle-like container consisting of an outer shelllayer and an inner layer, which are peelably laminated together, andhaving a body of a cross-sectional shape in which an assumed symmetricallong axis and a symmetrical short axis are orthogonal with each other,said body comprising an outer shell layer that forms an outer container,which has the flexibility to make this container squeezable andrecoverable to its original shape, and said body also comprising aninner layer that forms an inner container for receiving its contentinside and capable of being deflated and deformed inward with thedecrease in inner pressure; and

[0030] a discharge cap having an opening and attached to neck of thecontainer.

[0031] In this configuration, a pair of adhesive resin strips is formedat both ends of the long axis of the body, axisymmetrically on thecentral axis, by adhering the outer shell layer and the inner layer overthe roughly entire height of the container, with each strip beingdivided by the long axis into right and left parts having differentlengths in the width direction.

[0032] The discharge cap is provided at the opening with the first checkvalve mechanism that prevents the back flow of the content to the innercontainer and also prevents the inflow of outside air. The outercontainer is equipped with an outside air introduction mechanism forintroducing outside air into the interlaminar void between the outershell layer and the inner layer, with the outside air introductionmechanism being connected to the second check valve mechanism, which hasa function to confine air within the void at the time of squeeze.

[0033] In the invention of claim 3, the pouring vessel is squeezed todischarge the content. When the squeeze is stopped and the pressure ontothe body is released, the outer container begins restoring its originalshape because of its resilient, restoring force. At the same time, thefirst check valve mechanism provided in the discharge cap is in actionto stop the discharge of the content and to prevent the back flow of thecontent and the inflow of outside air into the inner container. Sincethe inner container remains deformed with the decrease in the volume ofcontent, outside air is introduced into the void between the outer shelllayer and the inner layer through the air introduction mechanism, andthe outer container is restored to its original shape.

[0034] If the pouring vessel is squeezed again in the state in which theouter container has been restored to its original shape, air in the voidis pressurized by the squeeze because the second check valve mechanismseals the void. Thus, a pressure is applied on the inner container todischarge the content further.

[0035] Since the first check valve mechanism prevents the inflow ofoutside air into the inner container, there is no airspace in the innercontainer. The content is thus always located in front of the opening.No matter what position the pouring vessel takes when it is used, thecontent can be discharged easily. It is also possible to prevent thecontent from being decomposed or deteriorated caused by air oxidation.

[0036] With the formation of vertical adhesive resin strips, a pair ofunadhering inner layers is also formed. As the pouring vessel issqueezed and the content is discharged, these unadhering inner layersare deformed. This deformation proceeds in the following manner. Whenthe deformation is observed on the cross-section of the body in thedrawing having the vertical long axis, the right and left unadheringinner layers depressingly deform first at their central portions. As thedeformation further proceeds, the right and left unadhering inner layerscome in contact with, and push themselves against, each other roughly onthe long axis. The deflationary deformation proceeds in such a way thatthis portion of contact extends toward the adhesive resin stripsdisposed at both ends of the long axis.

[0037] As the content is further discharged and deflationary deformationgoes on, the deformable portion practically disappears because of adimensional limitation on the cross-sectional length of the unadheringinner layers. If the right and left parts of the adhesive resin stripsdivided by the long axis have the same width, the inner container to bedeflated is born at four strip ends of these adhesive resin strips sothat it is difficult to deflate and deform the unadhering inner layersany more. In this state, no matter how the outer container is squeezed,it is hard to discharge the content.

[0038] In this invention, however, the right and left parts divided bythe long axis have different lengths in the width direction. Even if thedeflationary deformation proceeds in the same way, the shorter part ofeach adhesive resin strip allows for more deflationary deformation thanthe longer part does. Therefore, these strip ends put no obstacle in theprocess of deflationary deformation.

[0039] Near the ends of longer parts of the adhesive resin stripsdivided in two parts by the long axis, the deformable portionpractically disappears because of a dimensional limitation on thecross-sectional length of the unadhering inner layers. The pressurecaused by the squeeze is held at these ends. On the other hand, therestill is dimensional extra space near the ends of the shorter parts ofthe adhesive resin strips. The content can be discharged until nodeflationary deformation is possible on the sides of the shorter partsof the adhesive resin strips. Thus, the remaining content can beminimized to a large extent.

[0040] The means of carrying out the invention of claim 4 exists in theconfiguration that, in the invention of claim 3, the body has anelliptic cross-section.

[0041] As the cross-sectional shapes in which the assumed symmetricallong axis and the symmetrical short axis are orthogonal with each other,there are ellipse, ellipsoid, and flat diamond. In the case of anelliptic shape, the diameter changes gradually from the direction oflong axis to the direction of short axis, without giving any bendingpoint to the circumference. It is possible, therefore, to proceed withthe deflationary deformation of the unadhering inner layers much morestably and to blow-mold the inner container easily.

[0042] Means of carrying out the invention of claim 5 includes theinvention of claim 3 or 4, and also comprises that each adhesive resinstrip is divided by the long axis into the right and left parts, whichhave widths at a ratio in the range of 10:1 to 10:6.

[0043] The above configuration of claim 5 allows for most efficientdischarge operations and minimizes the remaining volume of content. Ifthis ratio of right to left part came close to the symmetrical state, orif the ratio were at 10:6 or more, then the effect of asymmetry wouldnot work remarkably. If the ratio were 10:1 or less, the deflationarydeformation of the unadhering inner layers would not go on smoothly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing the pouring vessel inthe first embodiment of this invention, with the right half beingillustrated in longitudinal section.

[0045]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view, taken from the line A-A, ofthe first embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0046]FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged side elevational view showing thefirst embodiment of FIG. 1, with the right half being illustrated inlongitudinal section.

[0047]FIG. 4 is a front elevational view showing an example of parisonto be blow-molded into the container of the pouring vessel in the firstembodiment of this invention.

[0048]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view, taken from the line B-B, ofan example of the parison shown in FIG. 4.

[0049]FIG. 6 is an explanatory drawing that shows the trend in thedeformation of the inner container in the first embodiment of thepouring vessel of this invention illustrated in the cross-sectional planview of FIG. 2.

[0050]FIG. 7 is explanatory drawings that show how the inner containeris deformed when the adhesive resin strips have large, middle, and smallwidths, as illustrated in the cross-sectional plan view of FIG. 2.

[0051]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view showing the pouring vessel inthe second embodiment of this invention, with the right half beingillustrated in longitudinal section.

[0052]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional plan view, taken from the line A-A, ofthe container in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8.

[0053]FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged side elevational view showing thesecond embodiment of FIG. 8, with the right half being illustrated inlongitudinal section.

[0054]FIG. 11 is a front elevational view showing an example of parisonto be blow-molded into the pouring vessel in the second embodiment ofthis invention.

[0055]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional plan view, taken from the line B-B,of an example of parison shown in FIG. 11.

[0056]FIG. 13 is an explanatory drawing of the pouring vessel in thesecond embodiment of this invention, with partial longitudinal sectionillustrating the deflationary deformation of the inner container.

[0057]FIG. 14 is an explanatory drawing showing the trend in thedeformation of the inner container in the second embodiment of thepouring vessel of this invention, as illustrated in the cross-sectionalplan view of FIG. 9.

[0058] Like FIG. 14, FIG. 15 is also an explanatory drawing showing thetrend in the deformation of the inner container in a example compared tothe second embodiment of the pouring vessel of this invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0059] This invention is further described with respect to preferredembodiments, now referring to the drawings. FIGS. 1-6 show the firstembodiment of the pouring vessel according to this invention. Thecontainer 1 comprises an outer shell layer 5 of a low-densitypolyethylene resin, an inner layer 6 of a nylon resin that has nocompatibility with the low-density polyethylene resin, and adhesiveresin strips 9 of an adhesive resin that has full adhesiveness with bothof the low-density polyethylene and the nylon.

[0060] The bottle-like container 1 comprises the bottom 4, the body 2having an elliptical cross-section and connected to the bottom 4, andthe cylindrical neck 3 disposed on the upper end of the body 2 andhaving screw thread notched around the outer surface of the neck 3.

[0061] The container has a height of 160 mm. The body 2 has an ellipticcross-section in which the long axis has a length of 70 mm and the shortaxis has a length of 40 mm (in the bore diameters for both axes).

[0062] The outer shell layer 5 and the inner layer 6, which make up thecontainer 1, are laminated peelably except for the portions adhered andfixed with the adhesive resin strips 9. The outer shell layer 5 formsthe outer container 12 having a sufficient mechanical strength and theflexibility to make this container squeezable and recoverable to itsoriginal shape. Laid inside the outer container 12, the inner layer 6forms an inner container 13 that is thin enough to be fully deflated.

[0063]FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional plan view of the body 2. A pair ofadhesive resin strips 9 is disposed at positions opposite to each otherat both ends of the long axis 10 in the elliptical cross-section of thebody 2, axisymmetrically on the central axis, and extends verticallyover the entire height of the container 1, to adhere and fix the outershell layer 5 and the inner layer 6. In this embodiment, the body has aperipheral length, L, of 176 mm. The width of each adhesive resin stripis set at 9 mm, as calculated from (¼)(L−2D1). The unadhering innerlayers have a length, Lna, of 79 mm.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, parison 15 is first molded byextruding together an outer cylinder 17, an inner cylinder 16 locatedinside the outer cylinder 17, and a pair of adhesive resin strips 9positioned axisymmetrically on the central axis, with each strip 9 beingsandwiched between the outer cylinder 17 and the inner cylinder 16. Thisparison 15 is then blow-molded into the container 1, by using a splitmold for blow molding.

[0065] The cylindrical neck 3 has screw thread notched on the outer walland is provided with a pair of air introduction ports 8 a as a part ofthe air introduction mechanism 8. These ports 8 a are disposedaxisymmetrically on the central axis of the container 1 at positions of90 degrees from the adhesive resin strips 9 (See FIG. 3).

[0066] The discharge cap 20 comprises a main cap portion 21 and adischarge cylinder 27. The main cap portion 21 has a top surface throughwhich an opening 23 is provided at the center and has screw threadnotched on the inner wall to screw together with the neck 3 of thecontainer 1. The discharge cylinder 27 is disposed on the top surface ofthe main cap portion 21, and stands upright on the edge of the opening23. The content is discharged outside from the discharge port 22 at theupper end of the discharge cylinder 27. Cover cap 29 covers thedischarge port 22.

[0067] The discharge cap 20 is screwed on the neck 3 of the container 1.It comprises a seal guide 28, which hangs down from under the topsurface of the main cap portion 21, and also a sealing portion 24, whichis disposed at the lower end of the inner wall of the main cap portion21. The discharge cap 20 is tightly fitted around the container 1 as theseal guide 28 and the sealing portion 24 are in tight contact with theupper end of the inner wall and the lower end of the outer wall,respectively, of the neck 3 of the container 1.

[0068] The discharge cap 20 is provided with the first check valvemechanism 25 including the first check valve 25 a at the opening 23 ofthe main cap portion 21. This valve usually has a checking function toclose the opening 23 and to prevent outside air from coming in the innercontainer 13. When the container 1 is squeezed to discharge the content7, the valve acts to open the opening 23 due to the inner pressure ofthe inner container 13.

[0069] In addition, the discharge cap 20 is provided with the secondcheck valve mechanism 26 comprising the second check valve 26 a atplaces opposite to the air introduction ports 8 a disposed in the neck3. This second check valve 26 a has a function to open the ports 8 a andintroduce air into the void 6 d between the outer shell layer 5 and theinner layer 6 through the air introduction ports 8 a if the air in thevoid 6 d between the outer container 12 and the inner container 13 has alower pressure than outside air. On the other hand, if the air in thevoid 6 d has a pressure equal to outside air pressure, the check valve26 a performs the check function to close the ports 8 a and prevent airfrom escaping outside.

[0070] The pouring vessel in the above-described embodiment of thisinvention is further described for its state of use. When the pouringvessel in the above-described configuration is used, the container 1 issqueezed at first, and this squeeze closes the second check valve 26 a.The pressure rises in the inner container 13, which contains the content7, and opens the first check valve 25 a. As a result, the content 7 isdischarged outside through the discharge port 22 at the tip of dischargecap 20. The inner container 13 deflates and deforms in response to adecrease in the volume of the content 7.

[0071] Then, when the squeeze of the container 1 is stopped to releasethe pressure applied onto the body 2, the outer container 12 beginsrestoring its original shape because of its resilient, restoring force,and the air in the void between the outer container 12 and the innercontainer 13 has a reduced pressure. As a result, the pressure insidethe inner container 13 returns to atmospheric pressure, and the firstcheck valve 25 a closes, thus allowing the discharge of the content 7 tocome to a halt.

[0072] As the recovery to the original shape of the outer container 12goes on, the inner container 13 remains deflated because the first checkvalve 25 a is at the closed position, and the pressure of air in thevoid 6 d becomes lower than outside air pressure. Then, the second checkvalve 26 a opens, and outside air is sucked into the void 6 d betweenthe outer shell layer 5 and the inner layer 6 through the airintroduction ports 8 a, while letting the detachment proceed betweenthese layers, until the outer container 12 is restored to its originalshape and the air between the outer container 12 and the inner container13 has a pressure equal to outside air pressure. With the completion ofthis suction, the second check valve 26 a closes.

[0073] When the container 1 is squeezed again, the increased pressurecaused by the squeeze is transmitted to the inner container by way ofair between the outer container 12 and the inner container 13 since thesecond check valve 26 a remains closed. Then, the pressure rises withinthe inner container 13, the first check valve 25 a opens, and thecontent 7 is discharged from the discharge port 22. The inner container13 is further deflated with the decrease in the volume of the content 7.

[0074] Each time when the squeeze of the container 1 is stopped torelease the pressure applied onto the body 2, a new round of theabove-described operation is ready to be repeated. The content 7 is thusdischarged again and again by repeating the squeeze operations untillittle content 7 remains in the inner container 13.

[0075]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional plan view of the body 2 of the pouringvessel in the first embodiment of this invention. It is an explanatorydrawing that shows the trend in the deformation of the inner container13 (or the inner layers 6). FIG. 7 includes cross-sectional plan viewsof the body 2, in which the adhesive resin strips 9 have large, middle,and small widths, La. Each of the drawings also shows a pattern ofdeformation for the inner container 13 (or the inner layers 6).

[0076] The cross-sectional plan view of FIG. 6 shows an ideal progressin the deflationary deformation of the unadhering inner layers 6 a and 6b, as observed with the discharge of the content 7. The unadhering innerlayers 6 a and 6 b exist divided in the right and left layers by theadhesive resin strips 9. These layers 6 a and 6 b start being deflatedand deformed from the central parts 6 a 1 and 6 b 1 toward each other inthe flattening direction. As the deformation proceeds, the layers comein contact on the long axis 10. With further progress in thedeflationary deformation, this portion of contact 6 c extends along thelong axis 10 toward the respective positions of the adhesive resinstrips 9.

[0077] In this state, the flow paths 7 a are secured near the adhesiveresin strips 9. When the content 7 is further discharged and littleremains in the inner container 13, the portion of contact 6 c extendsover the entire long axis 10, and the inner container 13 shows an almostcompletely flattened state, as seen in FIG. 7(a).

[0078] If the width, La, of the adhesive resin strips 9 were set at toowide a value, such as La>1.2(¼)(L−2D1), then the deformable portions ofunadhering inner layers 6 a and 6 b would practically disappear becauseof a dimensional limitation on the length, Lna. In such a case, theunadhering inner layers 6 a and 6 b on both sides of the adhesive resinstrips are so stretched at four strip ends, 9 a 1, 9 a 2, 9 b 1, and 9 b2, that it is difficult to deflate and deform these unadhering layers 6a and 6 b any more. Under this condition, no matter how the outercontainer 12 is squeezed with hands, it is hard to discharge the content7, as seen in FIG. 7(b).

[0079] If, on the other hand, the width, La, of the adhesive resinstrips 9 were set at too narrow a value, such as La<0.8(¼)(L−2D1), thenthe cross-sectional length, Lna, of the unadhering inner layers 6 a and6 b would become larger than necessary. Even if a considerable amount ofcontent still remains in the entire inner container, there is a fearthat the cross-sectional shape of the inner container 13 may almostblock the flow path at a place where the content tends to get smaller,depending on the conditions of use, as seen in FIG. 7(c).

[0080] FIGS. 8-14 show the second embodiment of the pouring vesselaccording to this invention. The container 1 comprises an outer shelllayer 5 of a low-density polyethylene resin, an inner layer 6 of a nylonresin that has no compatibility with the low-density polyethylene resin,and adhesive resin strips 9 of an adhesive resin that has fulladhesiveness with both of the low-density polyethylene and the nylon.

[0081] The container 1 has a totally bottle-like shape and comprises thebottom 4, the body 2 having an elliptical cross-section and connected tothe bottom 4, and the cylindrical neck 3 disposed on the upper end ofthe body 2.

[0082] The container 1 has a height of 160 mm. The body 2 has anelliptic cross-section, which comprises the long axis with a length of70 mm and the short axis with a length of 40 mm (See FIG. 9).

[0083] The outer shell layer 5 and the inner layer 6, which make up thecontainer 1, are laminated peelably except for the portions adhered andfixed with the adhesive resin strips 9. The outer shell layer 5 formsthe outer container 12 having a sufficient mechanical strength and theflexibility to make this container squeezable and recoverable to itsoriginal shape. Laid inside the outer container 12, the inner layer 6forms an inner container 13 that is thin enough to be fully deflated.

[0084]FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional plan view of the body 2. A pair ofadhesive resin strips 9 is disposed at positions opposite to each otherat both ends of the assumed long axis 10 in the elliptical cross-sectionof the body 2, axisymmetrically on the central axis, and extendsvertically over the entire height of the container 1, to adhere and fixthe outer shell layer 5 and the inner layer 6. Each strip 9 is dividedby the long axis 10 into right and left parts having different lengths(W1 and W2) in the width direction. In this embodiment, the entire widthof each adhesive resin strip is set at 14 mm, and is divided into theright and left parts (W1 and W2) at a ratio of 10:4.

[0085] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, parison 15 is first molded byextruding together an outer cylinder 17, an inner cylinder 16 locatedinside the outer cylinder 17, and a pair of adhesive resin strips 9positioned axisymmetrically on the central axis, with each strip 9 beingsandwiched between the outer cylinder 17 and the inner cylinder 16. Thisparison 15 is then blow-molded into the container 1, by using a mold forblow molding.

[0086] The cylindrical neck 3 has screw thread notched on the outer walland is provided with a pair of air introduction ports 8 a as a part ofthe air introduction mechanism 8. These ports 8 a are disposedaxisymmetrically on the central axis of the body 2 at positions of 90degrees from the adhesive resin strips 9 (See FIG. 10).

[0087] The discharge cap 20 comprises a main cap portion 21 and adischarge cylinder 27. The main cap portion 21 has a top surface throughwhich an opening 23 is provided at the center and has screw threadnotched on the inner wall to screw together with the neck 3 of thecontainer 1. The discharge cylinder 27 is disposed on the top surface ofthe main cap portion 21, and stands upright on the edge of the opening23. The content is discharged outside from the discharge port 22 at theupper end of the discharge cylinder 27. Cover cap 29 covers thedischarge port 22.

[0088] The discharge cap 20 is screwed on the neck 3 of the container 1.It comprises a seal guide 28, which hangs down from under the topsurface of the main cap portion 21, and also a sealing portion 24, whichis disposed at the lower end of the inner wall of the main cap portion21. The discharge cap 20 seals the tight fitting around the container 1as the seal guide 28 and the sealing portion 24 are in tight contactwith the upper end of the inner wall and the lower end of the outerwall, respectively, of the neck 3 of the container 1.

[0089] The discharge cap 20 is provided with the first check valvemechanism 25 including the first check valve 25 a. This valve usuallyhas a checking function to close the opening 23 and to prevent outsideair from coming in the inner container 13. When the container 1 issqueezed to discharge the content 7, the valve acts to open the opening23 due to the inner pressure of the inner container 13.

[0090] In addition, the discharge cap 20 is provided with the secondcheck valve mechanism 26 comprising the second check valve 26 a atplaces opposite to the air introduction ports 8 a disposed in the neck3. This second check valve 26 a has a function to open the ports 8 a andintroduce air into the void 6 d between the outer shell layer 5 and theinner layer 6 through the air introduction ports 8 a if the air in thevoid 6 d between the outer container 12 and the inner container 13 has alower pressure than outside air. On the other hand, if the air in thevoid 6 d has a pressure equal to, or higher than, the outside airpressure, the check valve 26 a performs the check function to close theports 8 a and prevent air from escaping outside.

[0091] The pouring vessel in the above-described embodiment of thisinvention is further described for its state of use, while referring tothe drawings. When the pouring vessel in the above-describedconfiguration is used, the body 2 of the container 1 is squeezed atfirst, and the second check valve 26 a is kept in the closed stateduring this squeeze. The pressure rises in the inner container 13, andopens the first check valve 25 a that has been in the closed state. As aresult, the content 7 is discharged outside through the discharge port22 at the tip of discharge cap 20. The inner container 13 deflates anddeforms in response to a decrease in the volume of the content 7.

[0092] Then, when the squeeze of the body 2 is stopped to release thepressure applied onto the inner container 1, the outer container 12begins restoring its original shape because of its resilient, restoringforce, and the air in the void between the outer container 12 and theinner container 13 has a reduced pressure. As a result, the pressureinside the inner container 13 returns to atmospheric pressure, and thefirst check valve 25 a closes, thus allowing the discharge of thecontent 7 to come to a halt. The inner container 13 remains deflated.Then, the second check valve 26 a opens, and outside air is sucked intothe void 6 d between the outer shell layer 5 and the inner layer 6through the air introduction ports 8 a. The outer container 12 isrestored to its original shape, while letting the detachment proceedsbetween these layers until the air between the outer container 12 andthe inner container 13 has a pressure equal to outside air pressure.With the completion of this suction, the second check valve 26 a closes.

[0093] When the container 1 is squeezed again, the increased pressurecaused by the squeeze is transmitted to the inner container by way ofair between the outer container 12 and the inner container 13 since thesecond check valve 26 a remains closed. Then, the pressure rises withinthe inner container 13, the first check valve 25 a opens, and thecontent 7 is discharged from the discharge port 22. The inner container13 is further deflated with the decrease in the volume of the content 7.

[0094] Each time when the squeeze of the container 1 is stopped torelease the pressure applied onto the body 2 of the container 1, asimilar process takes place as described above. A new round of theabove-described operation is ready to be repeated. The content 7 is thusdischarged again and again by repeating the squeeze operations.Eventually, almost entire volume is discharged except for quite a smallvolume remaining in the inner container 13.

[0095]FIG. 13 is an explanatory drawing of the pouring vessel in thesecond embodiment of this invention, with partial longitudinal sectionillustrating the deflationary deformation of the inner container 13.Since the outer container 12 and the inner container 13 are adhered toeach other by the adhesive resin strips 9, the inner container 13 showsno shrinking deformation in the height direction. The content 7 stays inthe lower portion because of its weight, and the deflationarydeformation takes place mainly in the upper portion.

[0096]FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional plan view of the body 2 of thepouring vessel in the second embodiment of this invention. It is anexplanatory drawing that shows the trend in the deformation of the innercontainer 13 (or the inner layers 6).

[0097]FIG. 15 is cross-sectional plan view of the body 2 similar to FIG.14, but in this comparative example, the adhesive resin strips 9 aredisposed symmetrically on the long axis 10 of the ellipse, i.e., atpositions where W1=W2. It is an explanatory drawing showing the trend inthe deformation of the inner container 13 (or the inner layers 6).Except for the positions of these adhesive resin strips 9, other partsof the configuration are similar to the second embodiment of thisinvention.

[0098] The unadhering inner layers 6 a and 6 b exist divided in theright and left layers by the adhesive resin strips 9. These layers 6 aand 6 b start being deflated and deformed from the central parts 6 a 1and 6 b 1 toward each other in the flattening direction. As thedeformation proceeds, the layers come in contact on the long axis 10 toform a portion of contact 6 c. When the content 7 is further dischargedand the inner container 13 is continuously deflated and deformed, thisportion of contact 6 c extends along the long axis 10 toward therespective positions of the adhesive resin strips 9.

[0099] As the content 7 is further discharged and the inner container 13continues its deflationary deformation, there remains little deformableportion because of a dimensional limitation on the unadhering innerlayers 6 a and 6 b. In the comparative example, the unadhering innerlayers 6 a and 6 b on both sides of the adhesive resin strips 9 are sostretched at four strip ends, 9 a 1, 9 a 2, 9 b 1, and 9 b 2, that it isdifficult to deflate and deform these unadhering layers 6 a and 6 b anymore. Under this condition, no matter how the outer container 12 issqueezed with hands, it is hard to discharge the content 7, as seen inFIG. 15.

[0100] On the other hand, if the adhesive resin strips 9 are disposedasymmetrically, as in the second embodiment of this invention, asymmetryin the right and left parts of the unadhering inner layers 6 a and 6 bbecomes marked near the four strip ends, 9 a 1, 9 a 2, 9 b 1, and 9 b 2,of the adhesive resin strips 9 with the progress in the deformation.

[0101] The deformable portion practically disappears because of adimensional limitation on the cross-sectional length of the unadheringinner layers 6 a and 6 b near the strip ends, 9 a 1 and 9 b 2, on thesides of longer parts (the W1 sides) of the adhesive resin strips 9divided by the long axis. The pressure caused by the squeeze is held atthese ends. On the other hand, there still is dimensional extra spacenear the strip ends, 9 a 2 and 9 b 1, on the sides of the shorter parts(the W2 sides) of the adhering inner layers 6 a and 6 b. Because of thisasymmetry, the squeeze operation allows for further deformation with thedecrease in the volume of the content. As a result, the remainingcontent can be minimized to a large extent (See FIG. 14).

[0102] If the width of the adhesive resin strips 9 can be set at aproper level, it is possible to secure the flow path 7 a over the entireheight of the pouring vessel until the content 7 is discharged to thelimit.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0103] This invention in the above-described configuration has thefollowing effects:

[0104] The pouring vessel of squeezable type in the invention of claims1 and 2 allows for smooth discharge operation to the last moment ofsqueeze untill little content to remain in the inner container after useby setting the width of the adhesive resin strips at a proper range,wherein said adhesive resin strips are disposed to control the form ofthe inner container in the direction of height at the time ofdeflationary deformation and to secure the flow path for the content.

[0105] The pouring vessel of squeezable type having an elliptic body inthe invention of claims 3 to 5 allows for smooth discharge operation tothe last moment of squeeze untill little content to remain in the innercontainer after use, by setting the width of the adhesive resin stripsin such a way that each strip is divided by the assumed long axis intothe right and left parts having different lengths in the widthdirection, wherein said adhesive resin strips are disposed to controlthe form of the inner container in the direction of height at the timeof deflationary deformation and to secure the flow path for the content.

1. A pouring vessel comprising: a blow-molded, bottle-like container (1)consisting of an outer shell layer (5) and an inner layer (6), which arepeelably laminated together, and having a body (2) of a cross-sectionalshape in which an assumed symmetrical long axis (10) and a symmetricalshort axis (11) are orthogonal with each other, said outer shell layer(5) forming an outer container (12), which has the flexibility to makethis container squeezable and recoverable to its original shape, andsaid inner layer (6) forming an inner container (13) for receiving itscontent (7) inside and capable of being deflated and deformed inwardwith the decrease in inner pressure; and a discharge cap (20) having anopening (23) and attached to neck (3) of the container (1); wherein apair of vertical adhesive resin strips (9) is formed at both ends of thelong axis (10) of the body (2), axisymmetrically on the central axis, byadhering the outer shell layer (5) and the inner layer (6) over theroughly entire height of the container (1), with the width (La) of saidadhesive resin strips (9) being set in the range of 0.8({fraction(1/4)})(L−2D1) to 1.2(¼)(L−2D1), preferably at (¼)(L−2D1), wherein D1 isthe length of the long axis in the cross-section of the body (2); and Lis the peripheral length in the cross-section of the body (2); whereinsaid discharge cap (20) is provided with the first check valve mechanism(25) that prevents the back flow of the content (7) from the opening(23) to the inner container (13) and also prevents the inflow of outsideair; and wherein the outer container (12) is equipped with an outsideair introduction mechanism (8) for introducing outside air into theinterlaminar void (6 d) between the outer shell layer (5) and the innerlayer (6), with the outside air introduction mechanism (8) beingconnected to the second check valve mechanism (26), which has a functionto confine air within the void (6 d) at the time of squeeze.
 2. Thepouring vessel according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section of thebody (2) has a circular shape when the length of the long axis is madeequal to the length of the short axis.
 3. A pouring vessel comprising: ablow-molded, bottle-like container (1) consisting of an outer shelllayer (5) and an inner layer (6), which are peelably laminated together,and having a body (2) of a cross-sectional shape in which an assumedsymmetrical long axis (10) and a symmetrical short axis (11) areorthogonal with each other, said outer shell layer (5) forming an outercontainer (12), which has the flexibility to make this containersqueezable and recoverable to its original shape, and said inner layer(6) forming an inner container (13) for receiving its content (7) insideand capable of being deflated and deformed inward with the decrease ininner pressure; and a discharge cap (20) having an opening (23) andattached to neck (3) of the container (1); wherein a pair of verticaladhesive resin strips (9) is formed at both ends of the long axis (10)of the body (2), axisymmetrically on the central axis, by adhering theouter shell layer (5) and the inner layer (6) over the roughly entireheight of the container (1), with each strip (9) being divided by thelong axis (10) into right and left parts having different lengths in thewidth direction; wherein said discharge cap (20) is provided at theopening (23) with the first check valve mechanism (25) that prevents theback flow of the content (7) to the inner container (13) and alsoprevents the inflow of outside air; and wherein the outer container (12)is equipped with an outside air introduction mechanism (8) forintroducing outside air into the interlaminar void (6 d) between theouter shell layer (5) and the inner layer (6), with the outside airintroduction mechanism (8) being connected to the second check valvemechanism (26), which has a function to confine air within the void (6d) at the time of squeeze.
 4. The pouring vessel according to claim 3,wherein the body (2) has an elliptic shape in the cross-sectional planview.
 5. The pouring vessel according to claim 3 or 4, wherein eachstrip (9) is divided by the long axis (10) into the right and left partshaving different widths (W1 and W2) at a ratio in the range of 10:1 to10:6.